The Monkies Declare LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PS4) One of the Best LEGO Video Games Ever

Product Review

There's something about LEGO and video games that the monkies enjoy so very much. Be it the titles that include either DC or Marvel comics, they love the expansive and quirky play that comes with the video games. And now, they can add LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens to their list of fave games.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical going into this game. Even though I am a Star Wars fan, I was never a fan of the video games that come with it. And even then, both Ash and Ayd were not huge fans of the movie franchise either... but all that changed with the release of the new Star Wars movie last December, which piqued their interest in this galaxy far, far away.

And I have to talk about the opening level. The game begins long before the film does, 30 years before, in an extended prologue which showcases the exciting moments from Return of the Jedi's Battle of Endor. The monkies had a field day stomping across Endor in AT-STs, playing as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in defeating the Emperor, and piloting the Millennium Falcon and blowing up the Second Death Star.

Not only was it a fantastic opening, it was a fun half an hour of play... and viewing for me, who unfortunately was relegated to the role of a spectator as the boys hogged the controllers.

And the action didn't let up as the game play moved to The Force Awakens storyline. The pacing throughout the story missions feel much smoother and it felt tighter and more cohesive than previous LEGO Star Wars games.

The main story is told across 10 levels, plus an epilogue, with a prologue and additional levels detailing other stories in the Star Wars universe like how C-3PO ended up with his red arm or Lor San Tekka’s journey to the small village where Poe Dameron meets him at the start of The Force Awakens. I love how these extra levels that provide titbits of information for every Star Wars fan... complete with the LEGO goofiness treatment.

The great thing about LEGO games is they are inherently designed for kids, so while they can be enjoyed by adults too, there is a simplicity and ease to the game’s mechanics that appeal to the younger ones. Even the 'violence' is toned down in the game - the hand bloodstain on Finn's Stormtrooper helmet in the movie is replaced by a green blob stain.

Yup, definitely can't get more family-friendly than that!

But it is the gameplay mechanics that truly kept the monkies enthralled. Each character has their own unique set of abilities and skills that allows the boys to finish puzzles or advance to a hidden area within a level. Specifically, the puzzle play is heightened through piles of bricks that can be used to assemble two or three contraptions. The boys had to figure out what they need to build to succeed, and what order each of the objects needs to be constructed in to help a character reach a specific part of the environment. Vehicles play just as large of a role as the characters, and are either deployed for fun, freeform aerial combat, or ground assaults.

This game has got to mark the first time that I sat through the entire gameplay as the boys completed the game. Of course I had the secret desire to snatch the game controllers away from them but it sure helped that the entire cast of The Force Awakens movie has reprised their roles to do the voice-over for their characters. Yes, that includes Harrison Ford.

Overall, I felt that the game strikes a nice balance between interesting and wacky Star Wars content, making it not just a great Star Wars game - it is one of the BEST LEGO video games that has come out in years.

And the boys have their reviews to prove it.

ASH's REVIEW

Recently, we had a new LEGO Star Wars game, which is about a little bit of Episode VI and the Episode VII movie. In the game, we get characters by completing missions, and the characters include Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Finn, Rey, Kylo Ren, Han Solo, Chewbacca and more! Cool vehicles such as TIE Fighters, X-Wing, Rey's speeder are also included.

What I like is the free play mode which can be unlocked through completing missions. During free play mode, I am able to use any character and vehicle, go to any planet and just do about anything! I can even customise the characters. For example, I combined the abilities of Finn and Kylo Ren in one character! I really hope there will be another fun LEGO Star Wars game!

AYD'S REVIEW

We had a LEGO Star Wars game to review and after I played it, I realised it was more fun than the other LEGO video games that we have! It is more fun because the characters, weapons and game play are more interesting. Of course, I like how I can use the Force through some characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker too.

To complete the missions, we had to use different characters to solve different puzzles. Once we were done with the story mode, we unlocked the Free Play mode where we can explore the galaxy and collect more characters and vehicles. I also love the Microfighters - mini and cuter versions of the original Star Wars vehicles. I like the game very very much because there are so many places to explore and for free play, I can choose so many different characters and customise them!

*Players on PlayStation will be treated to an exclusive Jabba’s Palace Character Pack! The bonus content features the mighty Jabba the Hutt and his loyal retainers Bib Fortuna, Malakili and Gamorrean Guards, plus the bounty hunter Booush, dancer Oola, and Princess Leia in her Jabba’s barge costume.